Wow that crept up under the radar.... Thanks for the reminder....this month has really flown and its motorsport time again. Yay. Best I get StanMotorsports added back onto my TV again for Indycar WRC and WEC.
A few changes in WRC aside from technical tweaks to new tyres and changes to the points system. For the teams and drivers its set to be challenging with not only different engine specs but a totally new tyre supplier will. make it a challenging weekend. Bring it on.The engine
Biggest news on the tech / powertrain side is the dropping of the hybrid crap..... all cars will now be powered exclusively by a 1.6-litre turbocharged ICE, all using 100% fossil-free fuel. The ditching of the hybrid will make the cars a hell of a lot lighter (I heard some 85kgs). Of course less power as well but at least they will be a bit more agile and nimble in their handling.
Re tyres from what i can see Hankook Tyres are now in as the exclusive supplier for all WRC categories,....WRC1, WRC2, WRC3, and Junior WRC.
This is the official word.... I guess we will find out pretty soon if teams and drivers are happy with the rubber. Its always going to be who picks the right rubber at the right time, and gets lucky on conditions suiting what they picked. Hopefully Hankook have come up with something that offers no nasty surprises. At least everyone is on the same footing of going into a bit of an unknown. Hopefully the teams have plenty of advance info on how the tyres will behave. Presumably shakedown wont be their first sight of the rubber and teams must have been able to test prior to this weekend..
Monte Carlo is one of the trickiest and most challenging rallies for tyres on the planet. Talk about a baptism of fire and straight into the deep end for a new tyre supplier.
Tyre Technology
Another major shift in 2025 is the introduction of Hankook Tire & Technology as the exclusive supplier for all WRC categories, including WRC, WRC2, WRC3, and FIA Junior WRC.
Hankook will equip the teams with their flagship Ventus Z215 for dry and damp asphalt, Ventus Z210 for wet asphalt conditions, and the Dynapro R213 for all gravel rounds.
Additionally, the introduction of the Winter i*cept SR20 for Rallye Monte-Carlo, and Winter i*Pike SR10W tyres for the snowy conditions of Rally Sweden (13 - 16 February), guarantees superior grip on winter surfaces.
New points structure: Biggest change I can see is no moreSaturday points. Again the official word:
The new structure simplifies the points awarded at each rally, rewarding the top 10 finishers with points in the following order: 25-17-15-12-10-8-6-4-2-1.
Importantly, there will no longer be points allocated for Saturday’s position, meaning rally winners are set to receive the largest share of the points available. But don’t worry – those who encounter early setbacks will still have an opportunity to make a comeback on Super Sunday, where the top five crews can earn additional points (5-4-3-2-1) for their efforts.
The Power Stage remains unchanged, providing a thrilling finale for teams to battle it out for up to five bonus points (5-4-3-2-1) on the final stage of each rally.
Not sure what the conditions are like on the stages.... I guess a bit of everything from snow and ice to rain to dry. The beauty of Monte Carlo.
Will Ogier get back to his usual win at this round. Only managed 2nd last year behind Neuville. Maybe its just in my mind butI think that was one of the very rare Monte's he hasnt won in the past decade.